Sunday’s Well 36 Newcastle West 7

It was another scintillating attacking showpiece from the ‘Well on the main pitch at Virgin Media Park, as they ran in a five-try salvo to secure successive bonus point victories in the Junior League. The bonus point was achieved by half-time with a  31-0 lead after a half of some of the most exhilarating power running rugby seen for a few years.

It was a great team performance; with some powerful foundations laying the platform for some of the enterprising play being undertaken. The likes of Mike McCarthy, John Costello and Kees Pereka hit hard around the fringes, both in the attack and the defence and laid a lot of the foundations to create space for their team-mates out wide.

There was great cohesion in the attacks, with the running lines of Finn MacFhlannchadha and Cormac Kelliher setting up chances for others out wide. Andrew ‘Bully’ O’Callaghan probably started the show with a  magnificent break up the middle in the opening minutes to turn defence into attack and start building the pressure on the Newcastle West defence. ‘Bully’ partnered well with Harry McHenry outside him; while the back three were a consistent potent threat throughout.

The initial Bully break created the penalty situation that saw Ciaran Maguire slot the kick over for the opening score. Maguire, who controlled the flow of the game at out-half with Fabien Loughrey inside him then kicked another penalty into the 22. A superb drive saw the maul bought down just short of the line. A series of strong carries by Mike McCarthy, Captain Finn and Fabs continued to exert pressure before Minty made his way over the line. His second try in as many week; though it should be three as he effectively should be credited with last weekend’s penalty-try.

The  ‘Well continued to play with a  dynamic vim and vigour. The line-out; directed by the livewire Dylan Cooper proved a constant threat and it set the platform for another attack. With some strong follow up carries; pulling Newcastle defenders in tight; allowing the ball to be spread out with the experience head of Mariano Cosimi touching down.

Another similar move; saw Robert Loftus create a great front-foot drive that allowed Fabien Loughrey snipe around the edge for the third try. Alex Lane finished off the try-fest of a first-half following a sublime break by Cormac Kelliher. Lane ran a magnificent support line; taking out the three retreating defenders when CK made the pass.

The second-half was much more even; with Newcastle West eager to make a fightback. There were moments for each team; but the ‘Well defended tenaciously with some massive hits around the fringes, while Mariano Cosimi and Emeka Asiegbu managed the defence out-wide when space was created; halting several scoring chances.

After sustaining pressure, the ‘Well broke off a scrum on their own five-metre line; with replacement Ryan O’Donoghue Kelliher making a great break out of the Twenty-Two.  Emeka Asiegbu was on hand to bring play to half-way before making a great in-field kick leading to an attacking scrum. A powerful solid drive allowed Fabien to break on the blind-side and set up Lane for his third try in two weeks. 

NCW eventually made a breakthrough with Sean Murphy touching down.

Scorers: Sunday’s Well: Alex Lane (2), Andrew Mintern, Fabien Loughrey, Mariano Cosimi tries; Ciarán Maguire 4 cons, pen.

Newcastle West: Sean Murphy try. James Guina con.

Sunday’s Well: Mariano Cosimi; Alex Lane, Harry McHenry, Andrew O’Callaghan, Emeka Asiegbu; Ciaran Maguire, Fabien Loughrey; Evan O’Connell, Dylan Cooper, Michael McCarthy; Andrew Mintern, John Costello; Kees Pereka, Finn MacFhlannchadha, Cormac Kelliher. Replacements: Sean McDonald, Robert Loftus., David Hourigan, Jacob Lane, Rob Maher, Ryan O’Donoghue-Kelleher, Alex Guerin.

Newcastle West: James Guina, Daniel Normoyle, Liam Treacy, Sean Murphy, Sean Darcy; Michael Bourke, Jack Grimes; Shane Breen, Kieran Copse, John Walsh; Gerald Griffin, Alan O’Riordan; Padraig Roche, Jason Woulfe, Cian Mulcahy. Replacements: Cormac Browne, Robert O’Donovan, TJ Relihan, Paudie Kelly, Jack Corkery, Giorgi Kilasonia, Andrew Mortell.